COUNSELING RESOURCES

 

 

Be sure to look at various topics in this Encyclopedia:  e.g. death, depression, suicide, rape.

 

ORGANIZATIONS

 

 

American Counseling Association (ACA)    
Offers a wide range of information and services.

 

 

Focus Adolescent Services                           
(410-341-4216) This is a great site for youth workers, parents, pastors and any concerned with youth at risk.    A clearing-house of information and resources to help and support families with at-risk youth. A general secular site providing information about faith-based services.  Judged “best of the web” by PsychCentral.

 

 

National Association of Social Workers (NASW)  
Full resources for counselors and social workers.

 

 

National Association of Christian Social Workers  (NACSW)  
Resources, conferences and journal for Christians in social work and counseling.

 

 BOOKS

 

 

Colapinto, J. (1997, October 17). Suicide at yale: Chronicle of a death foretold. Rolling Stone, p. 6 - This article is helpful for those concerned about college suicides. It introduces readers to family and friends who share their impressions of this bright student, his confusion, depression, and death. It raises the obvious questions about how to recognize and prevent such tragedies.

 

Egan, Gerard (1975, 2001, 7^th ed.) The Skilled Helper: A Systematic Approach to Effective Helping, Monerey, CA: Wadsworth Publishing, 420 pp. This classic presents a collaborative, problem-solving model for helper and clients. The model raises three questions: What is going on? What do I want instead? How might I get to what I want? On the basis of these questions, the process proceeds in three Stages: 1. Problem Definition, 2. Goal Development,and 3. Action. For a fine explanation of this model and process, visit (www.gp-training.net/training/mentoring/egan.htm) seen 22Aug05

 

 

Hunter, Rodney J.  ed. (1990) Dictionary of Pastoral Care and Counseling, Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1346 pp.  Referred to as “the most important publication in the field of pastoral care and counseling in the past 25 years.” Offers authoritative, easy-to-find information to assist any practitioner in the field of pastoral counseling.

 

 

James, B. Treating traumatized children. This practical handbook offers guidance for treating children who have been traumatized by abuse, disaster, divorce or violence. Helps readers assess the impact of trauma and develop treatment plans. Includes creative art, play, and drama techniques.

Kennedy, Eugene and Sara Charles (1977, revised/updated edition, 2001) On Becoming a Counselor: A Basic Guide for Nonprofessional Counselors, Crossroad Classic, 433 pp. Highly readable, critical information for professional counselors, pastoral counselors and para-professional counselors—in fact all people helpers. Here are important cautions for those who help others, an important resource for understanding particular types of problems, dealing with the reluctant or resistant client, understanding various kinds of disorders on a practical level, marriage counseling and much more.

McDowell, J. & Hostetler, B. (1996). Josh Mcdowell’s handbook on counseling youth. Dallas: Word Publishing. This handbook deals with emotional problems, families, and issues of sexual abuse and addictions. Each problem offers a case study, relevant statistical data, psychological principles, and suggestions for non-professional intervention. The counseling style suggested follows the acronym LEADER: Listen, Empathize, Affirm, Direct, Enlist, and Refer. The book addresses the differences between such issues as a suicidal teen and someone struggling with vocational and employment possibilities.

 

Rose, S.D. & Edleson, J.L. Working with children and adolescents in groups. This guide discusses how to effectively treat problem behavior in children and adolescents using small groups. Based on empirical research and their own work with groups, the authors show how a variety of approaches can be effectively combined to help resolve such problems as fighting, low-self-esteem, stress, depression, drug abuse, and more. For children of all ages, in all kinds of treatment settings.

 

Sturkie, J. (1993). Advanced peer counseling in youth groups: Equipping your kids to help each other with tough issues. Zondervan.

 

Sue, D.W. (ed.). (1981). Counseling the culturally different. Wiley.

 

Worthington, Everett L. (1982) When Someone Asks for Help: A Practical Guide for Counseling, Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 239 pp. This is a Christian counseling book which has been very helpful for non-professional counselors and counselor training. The author’s five stages integrate nicely with Egan’s (above). Whereas Egan can be difficult for lay readers without college education, this is highly readable.

Dean Borgman and Kathryn Q. Powers cCYS